Multineedle unit

ABSTRACT

A ganged tufting needle unit having a multiplicity of parallel needles formed integral with a common holder which includes a pair of reference surfaces and is adopted to be accurately attached as a unit to a needle bar of a tufting machine. The holder is divided into standardized sections by score lines at predetermined needle intervals along its length so that if one or more needles should break the section including the broken needles can be separated from the remainder of the unit and a standard replacement unit may be readily substituted therefor. Also disclosed is a latch needle unit and a yarn guide unit having the same features as the tufting needle unit. A method for manufacturing the different units from a metal strip comprising a series of die pressing, punching and grinding steps is described.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Josef Zocher l-laaren, Aachen, Germany[21] Appl. No. 21,332 [22] Filed Mar. 20, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 9,1971 [73] Assignee The Singer Company New York, N.Y.

[54] MULTlNEEDLE UNIT 23 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 112/79 R, 112/222, 66/86 [51] Int. Cl ..D05c 15/10, D051)85/00 [50] FieldofSear-ch l12/79 R,

79 A, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 221; 66/86, 85 A, 223,l,1A;l63/l,2,3,4,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,889,791 6/1959 Fedeich 112/226 X 3,054,277 9/1962 Broschard 66/1 A Primary Examiner-James R.Boler Attorneys-Marshall J. Breen and Chester A. Williams, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A ganged tufting needle unit having a multiplicity of parallelneedles formed integral with a common holder which includes a pair ofreference surfaces and is adopted to be accurately attached as a unit toa needle bar of a tufting machine. The holder is divided intostandardized sections by score lines at predetermined needle intervalsalong its length so that if one or more needles should break the sectionincluding the broken needles can be separated from the remainder of theunit and a standard replacement unit may be readily substitutedtherefor. Also disclosed is a latch needle unit and a yarn guide unithaving thesame features as the tufting needle unit. A method formanufacturing the different units from a metal strip comprising a seriesof die pressing, punching and grinding steps is described.

PATENTED NOV 9 I971 SHEET 1 [1F 2 Fi 7 s Fig.2 Fig.3

dosef r MULTINEEDLE UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to yarn-handling instrumentalities and more particularly to aganged unit having a plurality of yarn-handling fingers unitary with acommon support for use in tufting or knitting machines.

Carpets and similar tufted articles are manufactured by pushing yarnthrough a backing material to produce loops on one side thereof.Machines that perform this process are known in the art as tuftingmachines and comprise a transversely extending needle bar carrying amultiplicity of needles which carry the yarn and pierce the backingfabric, a needle plate supporting a longitudinally moving backing fabricand having a multiplicity of holes through which the needles pass afterpiercing the fabric, and a multiplicity of loopers generally locatedbelow the needle plate for engaging the yarn carried by respectiveneedles after the latter have passed through the backing fabric and theneedle plate. A machine of this general type is illustrated in US. Pat.No. 3,108,553.

The requirement of good loop formation mandates that each yarn-carryingneedle must properly cooperate with its corresponding looper. The needleeye and the yarn groove in the needle must be properly positionedrelative to the looper so that the loop formed will be available to thelooper. Furthermore, the needle must pass close enough to the looper sothat the latter may pick up a loop, but it should not pass so close tothe looper that contact would occur resulting in damage to the needle orlooper. The position of the needle relative to the looper thus beingcritical, it has been the practice to incorporate in such machines aneedle bar having a multiplicity of extremely accurately boredneedle-receiving holes. Each needle must then individually be fitted,adjusted and fastened in the needle bar relative to the looper. Anillustration of a needle bar of such construction can be found in US.Pat. No. 3,398,708.

Inasmuch as tufting machines may contain as many as 3,000 needles, theneedle bar must be accurately bored to accommodate this sum. This, ofcourse, can be a very costly procedure. Furthermore, since each needlemust be individually inserted into a bore and adjusted and fastenedtherein, it becomes a costly, tedious and time-consuming process to setup a tufting machine for proper operation and to later replace needlesbroken during the subsequent tufting operation.

Similar problems are involved in the knitting art and especially in thewarp knitters of the Raschel and tricot types. These machines use aplurality of needles and yarn guides which must be accurately positionedin the machine. Misaligned needles or guides result in the production offaulty fabric.

The yarn guides are bladelike devices having a hole in one endlightweight which are used in Raschel and tricot machines to guide thefeeding of yarn to the needles. The guides in these machines, in orderto properly align them relative to each other, are set in guide leads,i.e., cast in leaded units, which are in turn bolted to a guide bar.This is also true of the needles in these machines. The guides andneedles that are so embedded in lead must be properly anchored thereinto prevent extraction during the knitting operation. This requires thatsome type of anchoring aid, such as a notch, must be formed in theshanks, thus adding to the complexity and cost of the unit. A furtherdeficiency of the present systems is that the heavy mass of lead intowhich the needles and guides are cast provide an obstacle to theattainment of high-speed operation. An approach to the reduction of thelarge mass resulted in mounting the needles directly in the respectivebars, but this was found to be inadequate for the same reasons stated inregard to tufting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicants invention overcomes thesedifficulties of the prior tufting and knitting arts by providing a unithaving a multiplicity of similar yarn-handling instrumentalities ofone-piece construction that together with like units may be quickly andaccurately fastened in the machine. In one embodiment of the invention,there is provided a multineedle unit of the tufting type which isadopted to be applied to a less expensive needle bar of a tuftingmachine. In another embodiment there is provided a multineedle unit ofthe latch type for a Raschel knitting machine. A third embodimentprovides a multiyam guide unit which is adopted to be used in a warpknitting machine. In each embodiment of the invention there is provideda comblike structure having a multiplicity of spaced fingerlike elementsintegral with and extending from a common shank. Each fingerlike elementhas a free end which is shaped to engage and control a strand of yarn.In the various embodiments the fingerlike element may be a tuftingneedle, a latch needle or a yarn guide. Each of the units may beeconomically manufactured by a process comprising a series of punching,stamping and twisting steps to form each fingerlike elementsimultaneously.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide aninexpensive unitary comblike structure comprising a multiplicity ofyarn-handling instrumentalities which can as a unit be quickly andaccurately fastened to a yarn-utilizing machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a multineedle unitadapted for use in a tufting machine which obviates the need for aneedle bar having a multiplicity of accurately machined needle bores.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of amultineedle unit of the latch type adapted for use in a warp knittingmachine which unit is light in weight so as not to present an obstacleto high-speed operation.

A yet still further object of this invention is to provide alight-wwight multiyam guide unit adapted for use in a knitting machine.

The inevitable needle breakages that occur during tufting and knittingoperations are provided for and economically dealt with by the presentinvention by scoring the units at predetermined intervals along thelength thereof and providing standard ready replacement units. When abreakage occurs, the subunit containing the broken instrumentality orinstrumentalities may be separated along the score lines from theremainder of the unit and a replacement subunit readily substitutedtherefor with a minimum of downtime.

It is, therefore, a still further object of the present invention toprovide a quick, economical and easy replacement of yarnhandlinginstrumentalities broken during the tufting and knitting operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention reference should be had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of tufting needle units of thepresent invention fastened to a needle bar shown broken away, with oneneedle shown in cross section;

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of one tufting needle unit of FIG. 1as viewed from the right end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational end view of one tufting needle unit of FIG. 1as viewed from the left end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a tufting needle unitbeing formed showing the result of the step of forming fingers in astrip of metal;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the needle fingers afterdie-pressing the fingers to form the eye, the yarn groove and the scarf,and to contour the tip of the needle fingers;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 after punching or stamping the metaldisplaced during die-pressing;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along line 77 of FIG. 6, but after theeye of the needle has been rounded by punching;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the unit after the first point grinding steplooking at the unit from the left end of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a typical latch needle showing itscomponent parts;

FIG. It) is an end elevational view of one latch needle unit of thepresent invention before assembly of the latches thereto;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the fingers formed in ametal blank used to form the latch needle unit;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the latch needle fingersafter die-pressing the fingers to form the needle contour including thehook and the rivet hole;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 after punching or stamping themetal displaced during die-pressing;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the completed latchneedle unit, but prior to milling the latch house slot and insertion ofthe latch therein;

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of one yarn guide unit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a yarn guide unitbeing formed showing the result of the die-pressing step to form thecontour of the guides and the eye therein;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. I6 after punching or stamping themetal displaced during die-pressing; and

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the completed yarnguide unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and moreparticularly to FIG. I there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of thetufting needle units of this invention fastened to a needle bar 10 ofatufting machine (not shown). A complete basic needle unit 12 is shownhaving a rectangular-shaped common holder, shank or support section 14and a multiplicity of needles 16 formed unitary therewith. The unit ismounted in complementary fashion along the needle bar with a pluralityof similar units, a portion ofa second such unit being shown in FIG. 1.Although the number of needles selected for the unit disclosed is l2, itshould be appreciated that this number depends on several factors: onebeing the economical production of the unit itself and another being thenumber of needles selected for standard replacement units. It should beappreciated, therefore, that the precise number of needles disclosedshould not limit the scope of the present invention.

The shank section 14 includes a back substantially planar referencesurface 18 and a top substantially planar reference surface 20, each ofwhich is accurately machined for cooperation with the needle bar 10. Theneedle bar I0 includes a slot 22 which may be milled or ground thereinso as to provide an accurately aligned seat for the surfaces 18 and ofthe shank. The surfaces 18 and 20 are disclosed as lying in planessubstantially normal to each other as is the slot 22, this being aneffective, economical and efficient manner of providing the proper seat,but any other configuration of the surfaces and the slot that willprovide accurate alignment of the needles relative to the needle bar maybe used. The needle unit has a number of apertures 24 in the shanksection through each of which passes a fastening screw 26 that isthreaded into tapped holes (not shown) in the needle bar 10. It shouldnow be clear that the needle units of the present invention obviate theprior art requirements of accurately boring a multiplicity ofneedlereceiving holes in the needle bar and of individually insertingand adjusting each needle in a bored hole. Inasmuch as precisely milledslots are simpler to produce than precisely bored holes, a greateraccuracy of alignment of the needles relative to the tufting machineloopers and a more economically produced needle bar are possible withthe present invention.

Each needle 16 comprises a unitary projection extending in cantileverfashion from the shank I4 of the unit. Formed in one side of the bladeof each needle is a long groove 28 defined by ridges 30, which act toguide the yarn therein during needle penetration of the tufted fabric,as is well known in the art. The groove 28 extends from front surface 32of the shank l4 and terminates at needle eye 34 adjacent to and slightlyabove point 36. As is true with most present-day tufting needles, thepresent needles have a larger cross-sectional dimension in a directiontransverse to the needle eye then in a direction parallel to the needleeye. This can be seen in FIG. 1 by cross-sectional needle 17, i.e., thefourth needle from the right. Its function is to allow the yarn grooveto be a maximum, since yarn is bulky, while at the same time maintainingthe needle gauge as small as desirable for a proper tufted product. Thepresent needles, inasmuch as they can be economically produced from arelatively long flat strip of metal, as will be presently described, aretwisted about their longitudinal axes so that when inserted into atufting machine the groove 28 and the needle eye 34 will be in properfunctional relationship with the looper. In the preferred embodiment thetwist is The position of the looper relative to the needleinstrumentalities, as shown in the aforementioned US. Pat. No.3,398,708, is in a vertical plane transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe needle bar. Not only does the 90 twist in the present needlesposition the groove 28 for proper cooperation with the looper, but sincethe groove extends into the front surface of the shank, the yarn, whichnormally comes from a spool somewhere above the needle bar, will beguided by the groove for a relatively longer distance than is the casewhere the yarn groove is entirely on the side of the needle opposite thelooper. This allows the yarn to reach the needle eye with a minimum ofunguided deviation and hence there is better control of the loop beingformed. Formed on the opposite side of the needle from the yarn grooveis a scarf or undercut portion 38 which, as is well known, providesclearance for the looper.

Each basic unit 12 is subdivided as by indentations or readily shearablescore lines 40 and 42 into a number of subunits 44, 46 and 48. The scorelines are, of course, parallel to the needles. It is to be understoodthat the number of subunits depends on the number of needles in thebasic unit 12 and the number of needles selected for standardreplacement units. A standard replacement unit 50 having four needles isshown mounted on the needle bar 10 adjacent the basic unit I2. It shouldbe obvious that in the event of a needle breakage occurring in one ofthe needle subunits 44, 46 or 48 this subunit may be separated along theappropriate score line 40 or 42 or both from the remainder of the basicunit 12 and a standard replacement unit 50 substituted in its place. Inthe event of a needle breakage occurring in more than a single subuniteither two or more standard replacement units may be inserted, or areplacement unit comprising twice or thrice etc. the number of needlesof a standard replacement unit may be inserted. In the latter case thereplacement units may be produced as offthe-shelf ready replacementitems or may be produced from new or used basic needle units. Thisprinciple or modulus assembly allows a very quick, efficient andeconomical replacement of broken needles, thus reducing the machinedowntime.

With reference to FIGS. 4 through 8 an economical method of producingthe multineedle tufting units of the present invention will now bebriefly described. A blank comprising a relatively long flat strip ofmetal (not shown) having a thickness equal to the desired shankthickness is inserted into a blanking die press and the strip is therebypunched to form fingers 52. The forming of the fingers 52 may also beaccomplished by cutting the same from the strip. The blank, now in thecondition shown in FIG. 4, is then subjected to a known die pressforming or fine flow stamping operation to simultaneously contour theneedles and form the scarf, the long groove and the needle eye. Ofcourse, the scarf may be preformed in the initial metal strip if this isfound more desirable. The blank, now in the condition shown in FIG. 5,is next subjected to a punching or stamping operation to remove theexcess material 54 displaced during the press-forming step, the resultthereof being shown in FIG. 6. The blank is now subjected to a pair ofpunching dies on opposite sides of the eye and the eye is rounded alongboth its top surface 56 and bottom surface 53 as shown in FIG. 7. Theneedles are then pointed on their two outer tips 60 and 62 by grindingthe proper point angles. After this step, the result of which is shownin FIG. 8, the needles are twisted preferably through 90 about theirlongitudinal axes so that the eyes and the yarn grooves are set intoproper position for cooperation with a looper upon later fastening in atufting machine. This twisting step coaxially aligns the eyes of all theneedles and positions surfaces 64 and 66 available to a grindingoperation. The final grinding of the point angles is then performedthereon. The needle unit is now ready for the reference surfaces 18 and20 to be ground thereon and for the fastening holes 24 to be punchedtherein. At least one such hole must be punched in each intendedsubunit. Finally, the shanks of the units are sharply scored by, forexample, indentations ground therein, and the units are cut to length.Of course, the proper heat treatment will then follow.

For production of needles having a smaller gauge than is practicablewith the above process, the above process may be used to manufacturelarger gauge units and two or more such units may then be superposedupon each other in staggered relationship so that needles of one unitare disposed between needles of the other unit or units, or two or morestaggered rows of such units may be set in a needle bar having two ormore milled slots.

Now referring to FIG. 9 there is disclosed the component elements of atypical latch needle used in the knitting art. Formed with the stem 70is a hook 71 whose function is to draw the loop. Formed in the stern, asby milling, is a slot 72 in which is housed the latch 73. The latch isfulcrumed on a rivot 74 so that it may pivot by action of the yarn as iswell known in the knitting art.

The latch needle unit of the present invention includes a common shanksection 75 having at least a rear reference surface 76 and preferably atop reference surface 77 which are similar to the reference surfaces ofthe tufting needle unit, and which can cooperate with the knittingmachine mounting surface. The unit, with the exception of the specificneedle configuration, is in all other respects similar to theaforedescribed tufting needle unit and may be manufactured and scored inlike manner. FIGS. 11 through 13 show the steps of a method formanufacturing the latch needle unit beginning with a blank with fingers78 formed therein similar to the fingers 52 shown in FIG. 4. The blankis then subjected to a die press forming or fine flow stamping operationto contour the needles and form the rivot hole 79 as shown in FIG. 12.The blank is next punched or stamped to remove the excess material 80displaced during the press-forming step. The needles of the unit, now inthe condition shown in FIG. 13, are then twisted 90 about theirlongitudinal axes so that they are properly oriented for later insertioninto a knitting machine. This twisting step coaxially aligns the rivetholes of all the needles and positions the stem so that the latch slotmay then be cut therein. The reference surfaces may now be groundthereon and fastening holes formed therein. Scoring and cutting of theunits to length then follows.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 18 the present invention is applied,as another embodiment, to yarn guides used in the knitting operation toguide yarn to the knitting point. An eye 90 at the bulbous free end 91of the finger element acts to guide yarn passing therethrough. The unitis similar in all respects to the needle units previously described andincludes a common shank 92 having at least a rear reference surface 93and also preferably a top reference surface 94 for mounting in aknitting machine. To manufacture the unit a blank is formed as shown inFIGS. 4 and 11, and is then die-pressed or stamped to contour the guidesand form the eye. The fingerlike elements are then cleared of excessmaterial 95 as previously described or by a similar step. The fingerlikeguides are then twisted 90 about their longitudinal axes to coaxiallyalign all the eyes, and the units are then finished in a matter similarto the above-described needle units.

It is thus clear that the present invention provides an inexpensivemultielement yarn-handling device which can be quickly and accuratelyfastened to a yarn-utilizing machine and in which provision is made forrapidly and economically replacing individual elements broken during theuse of the device. Of course, many other embodiments'of the inventionmay present themselves to those skilled in the art and the scope of theinvention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but is tobe determined from the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim hereinis:

l. A yarn-handling device for textile machines having a mountingsurface, said yarn-handling device comprising a comblike member having ashank adapted to be fastened to said mounting surface, a multiplicity ofspaced fingerlike elements extending from the shank, each of saidfingerlike element having a free end shaped to engage and control astrand of yarn, each of said fingerlike elements having a longitudinaltwist between said shank and said free end.

2. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said shankcomprises at least a planar reference surface adapted to be accuratelypositioned on said mounting surface.

3. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said shankincludes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals alongthe surface thereof whereby said device may be subdivided at said scorelines.

4. A yarn-handling device for textile machines having a mountingsurface, said yarn-handling device comprising a shank member adapted tobe fastened to said mounting surface, at least one fingerlike elementintegral with and formed of the same material as said shank, saidfingerlike element having a blade portion angularly twisted about itslongitudinal axis, said fingerlike element formed with a free end shapedto engage and control a strand of yarn.

5. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 4 wherein said devicecomprises a multiplicity of fingerlike elements integral with saidshank, each said element having a blade portion angularly twisted aboutits respective longitudinal axis, the free end of each element shaped toengage and control a strand of yarn.

6. A yarn-handling device as recited in claim 5 wherein each said bladeportion is twisted about its respective longitudinal axis through 7. Ayarn-handling device as defined in claim 5 wherein said shank comprisesat least a planar reference surface adapted to be accurately positionedon said mounting surface.

8. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 5 wherein said shankincludes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals alongthe surface thereof, whereby said device may be subdivided at said scorelines.

9. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 8 wherein each saidelement includes an eye in the free end thereof, all of said eyes beingsubstantially coaxial.

10. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 8 wherein each saidelement includes a latch member pivotably mounted thereon.

11. A multineedle unit of a comblike configuration comprising a shankadapted for mounting in a needle bar of a tufting machine, amultiplicity of spaced needles unitary with and extending from saidshank in cantilever fashion, each of said needles including a point onits free end, each of said needles being angularly twisted about itslongitudinal axis between said shank and said point, means defining alongitudinal groove in each needle, and means defining an eye withineach said groove adjacent said point.

12. The multineedle unit of claim ll wherein the shank comprises atleast two substantially planar abutting surfaces, said surfacesproviding means for accurately positioning said unit relative to atufting machine needle bar.

13. The multineedle unit of claim 12 wherein said shank includes readilyshearable score lines at predetermined intervals along the surfacethereof, each of said score lines being substantially parallel to saidneedles whereby said unit may be separated at said score lines intosimilar subunits.

14. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 11 wherein all the eyes aresubstantially coaxial.

15. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 14 wherein each longitudinalgroove extends from said eye along the length of said needle andcommunicates with said shank.

16. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 12 wherein all the eyes aresubstantially coaxial and each of said needles includes a substantially90 longitudinal twist such that said longitudinal groove is twisted froma first plane into a second plane at substantially 90 thereto.

17. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 16 wherein said shankincludes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals alongthe surface thereof, each of said score lines being substantiallyparallel to said needles whereby said unit may be separated at saidscore lines into similar subunits.

18. A tufting needle unit having a multiplicity of needles, each of saidneedles comprising a shank, a point, and a blade intermediate said shankand point, each said blade having an angular twist about itslongitudinal axis, said shank of each needle being common to all theneedles and formed unitary therewith from a single blank, said bladehaving a longitudinal groove therein extending into said shank and aneye formed within each said groove adjacent said point,

19. A method of producing a yarn-handling instrumentality for a textilemachine having a mounting surface, including the steps of forming from ablank a shank of a thickness to be secured to said mounting surface,forming a multiplicity of spaced fingerlike elements projecting from theshank, contouring each of said elements to provide a free end shaped toengage and control a strand of yarn, and twisting each element about itslongitudinal axis.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the free end of eachelement is shaped to provide an eye, and the elements are so twistedthat the eyes are coaxial,

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein each element is twistedabout its longitudinal axis through 22. A method as claimed in claim 19,including the further step of forming on the shank two substantiallyplanar abutting surfaces.

23. A method as claimed in claim 19, including the further step ofscoring the surface of the shank with readily shearable score lines atpredetermined intervals along said surface.

1. A yarn-handling device for textile machines having a mounting surface, said yarn-handling device comprising a comblike member having a shank adapted to be fastened to said mounting surface, a multiplicity of spaced fingerlike elements extending from the shank, each of said finger-like element having a free end shaped to engage and control a strand of yarn, each of said finger-like elements having a longitudinal twist between said shank and said free end.
 2. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said shank comprises at least a planar reference surface adapted to be accurately positioned on said mounting surface.
 3. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said shank includes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals along the surface thereof whereby said device may be subdivided at said score lines.
 4. A yarn-handling device for textile machines having a mounting surface, said yarn-handling device comprising a shank member adapted to be fastened to said mounting surface, at least one fingerlike element integral with and formed of the same material as said shank, said finger-like element haviNg a blade portion angularly twisted about its longitudinal axis, said finger-like element formed with a free end shaped to engage and control a strand of yarn.
 5. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 4 wherein said device comprises a multiplicity of finger-like elements integral with said shank, each said element having a blade portion angularly twisted about its respective longitudinal axis, the free end of each element shaped to engage and control a strand of yarn.
 6. A yarn-handling device as recited in claim 5 wherein each said blade portion is twisted about its respective longitudinal axis through 90*.
 7. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 5 wherein said shank comprises at least a planar reference surface adapted to be accurately positioned on said mounting surface.
 8. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 5 wherein said shank includes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals along the surface thereof, whereby said device may be subdivided at said score lines.
 9. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 8 wherein each said element includes an eye in the free end thereof, all of said eyes being substantially coaxial.
 10. A yarn-handling device as defined in claim 8 wherein each said element includes a latch member pivotably mounted thereon.
 11. A multineedle unit of a comblike configuration comprising a shank adapted for mounting in a needle bar of a tufting machine, a multiplicity of spaced needles unitary with and extending from said shank in cantilever fashion, each of said needles including a point on its free end, each of said needles being angularly twisted about its longitudinal axis between said shank and said point, means defining a longitudinal groove in each needle, and means defining an eye within each said groove adjacent said point.
 12. The multineedle unit of claim 11 wherein the shank comprises at least two substantially planar abutting surfaces, said surfaces providing means for accurately positioning said unit relative to a tufting machine needle bar.
 13. The multineedle unit of claim 12 wherein said shank includes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals along the surface thereof, each of said score lines being substantially parallel to said needles whereby said unit may be separated at said score lines into similar subunits.
 14. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 11 wherein all the eyes are substantially coaxial.
 15. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 14 wherein each longitudinal groove extends from said eye along the length of said needle and communicates with said shank.
 16. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 12 wherein all the eyes are substantially coaxial and each of said needles includes a substantially 90* longitudinal twist such that said longitudinal groove is twisted from a first plane into a second plane at substantially 90* thereto.
 17. A multineedle unit as recited in claim 16 wherein said shank includes readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals along the surface thereof, each of said score lines being substantially parallel to said needles whereby said unit may be separated at said score lines into similar subunits.
 18. A tufting needle unit having a multiplicity of needles, each of said needles comprising a shank, a point, and a blade intermediate said shank and point, each said blade having an angular twist about its longitudinal axis, said shank of each needle being common to all the needles and formed unitary therewith from a single blank, said blade having a longitudinal groove therein extending into said shank and an eye formed within each said groove adjacent said point.
 19. A method of producing a yarn-handling instrumentality for a textile machine having a mounting surface, including the steps of forming from a blank a shank of a thickness to be secured to said mounting surface, forming a multiplicity of spaced finger-like elements projecting from the shank, contouring each Of said elements to provide a free end shaped to engage and control a strand of yarn, and twisting each element about its longitudinal axis.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the free end of each element is shaped to provide an eye, and the elements are so twisted that the eyes are coaxial.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein each element is twisted about its longitudinal axis through 90*.
 22. A method as claimed in claim 19, including the further step of forming on the shank two substantially planar abutting surfaces.
 23. A method as claimed in claim 19, including the further step of scoring the surface of the shank with readily shearable score lines at predetermined intervals along said surface. 